Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

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  • LoriKnous
    LoriKnous Member Posts: 80
    edited October 2012

    Ladies, I keep reading about such rough times with this trio. I am wondering the differance between Taxotere/Taxol. I had the taxol/carboplatin before the perjeta was added and I have been pretty lucky with any SE. I have had 4 infusions of Herceptin/Perjeta and minimal constp and diareah. Do most of the SE I keep reading about come from the Taxotere?

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  • nicole0714
    nicole0714 Member Posts: 48
    edited October 2012

    That would be my guess. I had no issues with herceptin for the year I was on it as a stage 1 patient. Can't imagine perjeta would be different. Taxotere, although very effective, is a difficult drug.

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  • FortyPawzFarm
    FortyPawzFarm Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    Hi ladies! Trying to catch up reading everyone's posts. Kingcour-sorry about the TMI from the mom on your field trip. We had a similar incident the very next day. This board has truly been a Godsend.

    Today was Veronica's first lab. One week from her first chemo.

    So far no nausea, Big D and manageable fatigue. Everyone @ onc. said she looked amazing. "Pink and supple" was the nurses term. LOL

    Some small mouth sores and a rash.

    Then the onc. called back... Said her count was extremely low.

    I went into panic. Hoping for a better reading next week. Building a germ-free bubble as we speak. Lol.

    Not sure whether to continue the panic, or take a breath!

    Big hugs to you all.

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  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2012

    Stupid fever after tx two on Monday... being admitted overnight :'( prayers and good vibes please...scared ...have only stayed in hospital when I had my son

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  • Surly
    Surly Member Posts: 357
    edited October 2012

    Hang in there, aic. I had fevers after chemo a couple times and was hospitalized once. It's the best place to be in that case. They'll keep a good eye on you. Sending you good thoughts.

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  • FortyPawzFarm
    FortyPawzFarm Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    Prayers aic. Hoping the fever goes away. Please keep us posted.

    ((((hug))))

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited October 2012

    AIC sending prayers, positive thoughts and healing energy.  Please keep us posted.

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  • lilylady
    lilylady Member Posts: 1,079
    edited October 2012

    aic, I get low grade fevers after every tx for a couple of days-but it comes on at night. I hope you just have a 1 days stay and it passes quickly.

     The taxotere is the root of all evil as far as SEs go-I think. . I wasn't on Herceptin by itself for very long as it didn't hold the cancer back but it seemed very easy. I don;t think there are enough people to really say what will happen when it s just the Perjeta/Herceptin-but I am counting the days til that tx starts. I have to get thru this one and one more with the Tax then just the targeted drugs. The SEs kicked in early this time and mostly again it is the BIG D and the terrible taste buds-feeling sorry for myself because I can't find anything to eat that doesn;t make me want to spit it out!!

     Headed back to work this week-mandatory 12hrs right now. I had him write no restrictions but maybe will have to change that. I am going to try to get thru it for now.

    I hope everybody can enjoy their weekend.

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  • formygirls
    formygirls Member Posts: 916
    edited October 2012

    Insurance denied my PET again for Monday but did approve the CT scan of the abdomen and CT of chest so will have that Mon morning. It has been 8 weeks since I had scans so we cannot delay scans any more. We decided to stop fighting insurance and just do the CT's for now.



    I would appreciate any prayers and thoughts as I am freaking out. I am expecting progression because of my pain and tumor markers but hoping for a miracle. I am going through chemos very fast. I am a mess. This was supposed to be my wonder drug ( and for the first few weeks it felt like one...it felt great to hear the words remission) and I am not sure where to go next. XEloda or Halaven??

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  • JillThut
    JillThut Member Posts: 1,470
    edited October 2012

    Thoughts are with you, formygirls. And all of you on this thread. I read it regularly. Maybe TDM-1 next formygirls? I know it's not available yet..but maybe soon. That's what I'm hoping for...or a trial..or compassionate use? My onc tried to get perjeta approved for me but nothin' doin'.

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  • formygirls
    formygirls Member Posts: 916
    edited October 2012

    Jill,

    Thank you so much. Unfortunately, there are no TDM-1 trials where I live and I do not have the energy to fly for txs. There is an Expanded access site 2-3 hours away by car and that may be an option. We may try for compassionate use. This may sound irrational but in my head, TDM-1 is my only lifeline left and I am scared to use it. What if it also doesn't work. Well, I know the answer to this question and know how illogical this whole argument is but .....





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  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited October 2012

    Formygirls hope your scans come back clean.



    I'm doing the per/her/tax. Taxotere is the root of most SE's for me. Friend of mine,s husband is was the local pharm rep for taxotere. His word is the stuff works, but it's one hell of a poison. I've had the big d most of this round. I'm on potassium supplements, but the last one made it through whole. Hmmm' don't think that worked. I'll go back to my potatoes. Thank God I'm Irish.

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  • JillThut
    JillThut Member Posts: 1,470
    edited October 2012

    I know exactly what you mean, formygirls, about not wanting to use your "trump card" yet. Hope your scans are good...and damn your insurance company by the way...for giving you a hard time on the approvals.

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  • Surly
    Surly Member Posts: 357
    edited October 2012

    I'm sorry you're feeling like a mess, formygirls. I have some of that same anxiety. Perjeta didn't work for me and I was about to be approved for a TDM1 trial a few weeks ago but the pre-test found brain mets so I had to have those treated first. I missed my window of opportunity. So I'm on Gemzar. I have no idea if it's working. I'm a couple months at least away from a scan. The oncs say they'll ask for compassionate use of TDM1 if this doesn't work, but I'm also afraid to find out that it won't work. I haven't tried Halaven or the anthracyclines yet. I don't know if there's anything else available that I haven't tried--I've done Xeloda and it worked for maybe 5 months.

    Anyway, just know we're thinking of you and you're not alone. Hang in there!

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  • JillThut
    JillThut Member Posts: 1,470
    edited October 2012

    Geez, Surly. Sorry about the brain mets. Not sure what anthracyclines are. Hope we're not all getting close to the bottom of our options list...scary thought. Hate to think about that.

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  • Surly
    Surly Member Posts: 357
    edited October 2012

    Thanks, Jill. I really hadn't worried about brain mets--or was in denial that I could have them--until I was having the MRI for the clinical trial. I hadn't had any symptoms. The three spots were 2mm to 4mm, so not big. I had gamma knife on Tuesday and it went well. I'll find out in a few months if it worked. Or maybe it takes a couple MRIs to learn? I'm new to this.

    Doxil is one of the anthrocyclines. I may have gotten this list from the BCO site. What I don't know is if one doesn't work for you if another from this family might--or how the oncs decide which one to use. I know these can be hard on the heart, some more than others:

    Anthracycline chemotherapy medicines:

    • Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin)
    • Ellence (chemical name: epirubicin)
    • Doxil (chemical name: doxorubicin)
    • daunorubicin (brand names: Cerubidine, DaunoXome)
    • mitoxantrone (brand name: Novantrone)
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  • formygirls
    formygirls Member Posts: 916
    edited October 2012

    Surly,

    Thank you for your support. Sorry about the brain mets and not being able to get on the trial. That sucks. You have had a rocky few weeks but I hope the worst is behind you and Gemzar is effective for you.



    Fujimama,



    Thanks. I agree that Taxotere is probably what causes most of the SEs. I had have Taxol before in 2008 with my initial dx and the SE then were very similar. There is probably not enough data on the SE of Perjeta yet. I know I am the first patient my onc has on this combo.

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  • lilylady
    lilylady Member Posts: 1,079
    edited October 2012

    formygirls-I hope the CT scans come out good -and they should be enough to see what's going on. My onc has said getting scans approved at even the 3 month interval is getting harder each time. And he says that is across the board for all the insurances they accept. They are finding it very frustrating because how can he make a treatment decision without the information the scans provide. They started on a pre-cert for my last scan a month ahead of time. I hate that you are having so much anxiety-that isn't good for you either. We will all be anxious to hear your results-and praying they are good ones.

      I have never lasted the PFS on any of the chemos-hoping to ride out the whole 18 months on this one. That would be a dream come true.

     I am headed back to work this week. I am broke and it is time to just get on with it. Many changes at work since I left in August. New bosses, new hours, new people in my area-my goal is to stay cool and just try to get back in the swing of things without stressing. I resigned from being the Team Leader before I left so at least I wont be dealing with everyone else's problems. They have not filled the job because my boss thinks I am going to go right back to it. He really doesn't get it at all-I will never be what I once was-and I don't want to be. I want to do my job and not have anybody bug me-that's what everyone else gets to do. The little bit of extra money for being a leader was nowhere near worth it.

     Fun news-I booked a small Vac for my Mom and sister and I to go to Opryland to see the Rockettes Christmas show in Dec. If you haven't ever seen them it is amazing. We have stayed at Opryland before but they do it up for Christmas like you wouldn;t believe. It is a package deal so we will be busy the entire time we are there. It is a 5hr drive from Cincinnati so very do-able if weather doesn;t become an issue.

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  • sueopp
    sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
    edited October 2012

    Ladies, thinking of you one and all.  I worry with each of you, and try to send positive energy your way - we are all in this together.  Even though I am not in your regimen yet, I will be eventually.  I'll say it again, you women are paving the way for many of us who will follow you into this regimen.  I am profoundly grateful to you.  Wishing the very best to each of you - SUE 

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited October 2012

    Surly and Formygirls, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  Will continue to send positive energy and thoughts.

    Surly hoping that the gamma knife zapped the mets and that will be the end of it.  I guess one positive is that since you had no symptoms and they were small, the treatment may be more effective.  I pray that the gemzar works for you until you can get the TDM1.

    Formygirls so sorry you are in pain.  I'm hoping that your scans are not nearly as bad as you are imagining.  Again, thoughts and prayers and positive healing energy.  

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  • formygirls
    formygirls Member Posts: 916
    edited October 2012

    Thank you all for your support. My scans today confirmed progression everywhere. I cannot believe that eight weeks ago my PET was clean. I am off this chemo. I am not sure where i will go next. Good luck to everyone.

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  • Surly
    Surly Member Posts: 357
    edited October 2012

    Formygirls, I am so sorry! This evil cancer! I'm just so sorry. I can't remember what you haven't tried yet. Halavan or Gemzar? Did your onc have a recommendation? Or haven't you seen him/her yet? Please check back. 

    We're holding you up. . . .

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  • JillThut
    JillThut Member Posts: 1,470
    edited October 2012

    So sorry, fmg. Keeps us posted when you get your bearings and know what your next plan is.

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  • FortyPawzFarm
    FortyPawzFarm Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    So sorry formygirls. Stay strong, and please keep us posted.

    Praying.

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  • cheery
    cheery Member Posts: 311
    edited October 2012

    Hi FMG

    So sorry.. how about TDM-1? You might want to check with your doctor if you can try for compassionate use if the TDM-1 trials are not suitable for you. 

    I've read about a lady achieving NED with TDM-1 and Perjeta in a trial too. 

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  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2012

    Thanks to everyone for the support while I was in the hospital... turned out to be a virus they think and was there for two nights...formygirls, I am so sorry to hear of your news...sending you hugs

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  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2012

    Surly, so sorry to hear about the brain mets...hope gamma did the trick!

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited October 2012

    AIC so glad you are out of the hospital and feeling better.

    FMG you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Please let us know what the next step is. Praying that you can get TDM1 for compassionate use.  Hugs and positive energy.

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  • sueopp
    sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
    edited October 2012

    FMG, I am so very sorry about your progression.  You must feel devastated, especially because you fought so hard.  Take the time you need to regroup, then onward!  Hoping that the next regimen is the one for you.  Keeping you in my heart.   SUE

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  • lilylady
    lilylady Member Posts: 1,079
    edited October 2012

    Formygirls-so sorry for your news. I can imagine how disappointed you are. It just doesn't seem possible that it changed so soon. I hope they caan get you onto the next regimen as soon as possible. My thoughts are with you

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